THE SALTBURN Cliff Tramway has beaten off stiff seaside competition, including the Blackpool Tower and Morecambe Winter Gardens, to be crowned favourite seaside place and experience in the Seaside Heritage Networks first ever annual top ten Bucket and Spade list.
The accolade, voted for by members of the public, highlights how much locals and visitors value the Cliff Tramway, known for its breath-taking views and historic significance as one of the oldest water balanced cliff lifts in the UK.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture, Cllr Carrie Richardson said: “This latest award for the Cliff Tramway comes hot on the heels of it receiving the accolade of being among the top 10% of listings on TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.
“Both awards are a clear recognition of the hard work and dedication of the team who provide a great experience for visitors and how highly regarded this charming seaside attraction is by locals and visitors to the area. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for the Cliff Tramway to beat off some really strong opposition.”
Here are some of the reasons voters gave for choosing the Saltburn Cliff Tramway:
‘It’s aesthetically beautiful, mechanically inventive, exciting to ride, practical and the staff are fun.’
‘It’s in my hometown and I love to hear people waiting to board the lift getting excited and talking about its history.’
The Top Ten favourite seaside places and experiences as voted by members of the public:
- Saltburn Cliff Tramway, Saltburn-by-the-Sea
- Blackpool Tower
- Morecambe Winter Gardens
- Silcock’s Carousel, Southport
- Donkey Rides, Weymouth
- Papa’s Fish & Chips, Cleethorpes
- South Cliff Gardens, Scarborough
- Dreamland Margate
- Bournemouth Beach Huts
- Babbacombe Model Village.
The Bucket and Spade List was announced in the superb setting of Blackpool Winter Gardens on 11 September when the top three finalists were awarded with certificates by designer and seaside regeneration expert, Wayne Hemingway MBE.
Dr Kathryn Ferry, a founder member of the Seaside Heritage Network, said how important it was to see people and communities getting behind the vote: ‘There’s a strong nostalgic element to these finalists but that’s no bad thing, it shows how embedded the seaside holiday and seaside resorts are within our island culture. Too often, these towns get a bad press but it’s time to change perceptions and celebrate the joy and entertainment the seaside has brought to generations of Britons.”